Thomas McCrary, 101, farmed land that has been in his family since 1809 until recently. His family home will be the site of the Historic Huntsville Foundation's barbecue lunch on April 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. (Eric Schultz/eschultz@al.com)

NEW MARKET, Alabama - The Historic Huntsville Foundation is going to a historic location for a barbecue fundraising lunch on April 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. The site will be the McCrary Farm, located in New Market, and the event will include outdoor pit cooking demonstrations by the Historic Cooking Guild and tours of the McCrary Farm's 1824 home led by costumed interpreters. Mike Ball will provide period music, and Madison County Sheriff Blake Dorning and New Market BBQ will be cooking up some barbecue with all the trimmings.

The McCrary Farm dates back to 1809 when Thomas McCrary bought 320 acres in what is now northeast Madison County. His ancestor, also named Thomas McCrary, still lives on the farm and until recently, at the age of 101, farmed the land himself. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an Alabama Century Farm, denoting the fact that the farm has been in the same family continuously for at least 100 years. It is also listed as an Alabama Heritage Farm as one that has played a significant role in Alabama history.

Outbuildings on the property include a smokehouse and a carraige house along with barns. The bricks in the home were made on the farm, and many of the furnishings are original to the first Thomas McCrary.

The cost to attend the barbecue is $35, and free for children 12 and under. Casual dress and farm-friendly shoes are recommended. For more information or to make a reservation to attend, call 256-461-8938.